Gaoyin Street is a popular food street located next to Hefang Street at the foot of Wu Hill. The street is named after Gao, a virtuous young man who lived here during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).

According to legend, Gao was an orphan who one day found on the street a bag of silver ignots (ancient Chinese currency). Gao didn’t steal the coins instead he guarded them and waited for their rightful owner to return. The bearer of the coins, a merchant, was so moved by Gao’s honesty that he employed him as his business assistant. Through the merchants efforts Gao became a millionaire opening a prosperous jewellery shop and it was in honour of Gao’s virtuous deed that the street was named Gaoyin, Gao from the boy’s name and Yin being the Chinese for silver.

Huan Fan Er: The plaque is said to be bestowed by Qianlong Emperor of Qing Dynasty (1711-1799).

Today Gaoyin Street has become “China’s kitchen” where the cuisine of a number of its provinces can be sampled. Unlike other food streets where stalls are a plenty, this street is predominantly renowned for its restaurants, some of which are of a traditional design such as Zhi Wei Guan and Xiao Shaoxin. The most famous of them all is called Huang Fan Er, where Qianlong Emperor (1711-1799) is said to have dined.

After the longest off-season in fishing in recorded history, on August 1st, after three long months, all types of fishing vessels set out to throw the first net to catch this season's fish and started bringing back fresh seafood to our dining tables. To taste the freshest seafood, you should always travel to Zhejiang's coastal areas, but if traveling far is not an option, you can also try the following seafood restaurants which serve the freshest seafood fare in Hangzhou.